Do you purchase items that you asked to be made when they are finally produced?

I plan to if any are built.

There are probably a few more but these are the biggie I remember asking for and finally made.  I certainly felt that I honored my end of the deal.  I understand sometime between the time we ask and the time they are finally produced things and circumstances change. 

Wouldn't the street price be a consideration?

I have only made two requests. Both from 3rd Rail. One was purchased when released and the other expected next month. Actually there have been two more but their production has yet to be announced.

Pete

Always!  The Jahn Henry, Hi-Nose GP30's, SOU E8 with ditch-lights, N&W CF cabin car.

Interesting idea for a thread topic, Marty!  Sort of a "will you put your money where your mouth is?" question.  

I've really only asked for one item so far (a true scale-sized and highly-detailed ALCo RS3 with all the bells and whistles--i.e. sound, smoke, command control, etc.)...and absolutely "yes", I will buy if one of the manufacturers/importers ever figures out a way to get this done!

I do every time. The problem is getting them to hear and honor the request. When I say "Reading" they run screaming into the night claiming they won't sell enough. Yet I see them build much lesser-known, odd-ball road names all the time, and there is NO way they are selling enough of those.

So realizing it's likely just road name bias at the decision-making level, I quit asking. That said, for some unknown reason, Lionel did decide to offer up a new Reading T-1 this year.  And I was one of the first to open up my wallet, even though I didn't ask for them to build it.

If I were still asking, it would be for the Reading N1 2-8-8-2.  Lionel's done the Pennsy Y-3, so they'd have something to start from, yet I know the N1 would never see the light of day in Concord. And I doubt 3rd Rail would go here, even though you'd think it would be in their wheelhouse, based on some of the small lot, odd-ball stuff they've done over the years.

Sorry to be negative. You unknowingly struck a nerve. 

I've been lobbying (pestering) for a true Seaboard Silver Meteor set for as long as I can remember, now with GGD's plans for one you can bet I'm following thru to "Show them the money".

Yes, although it is pretty easy for me, since I ask for rolling stock more often than engines.

Andy

I asked about SFRD reefers similar to the PFE Vision Line Reefers when they were released. They were cataloged and I ordered 

I intend to purchase if items I asked for are built. 

I do every time. I asked Scott Mann to make the El Capitan and if he did id buy 2 sets. Well he did and while due to some serious family business issues could only buy one I still bought it. I treat them as a pre-order and while I'm man who needs to stay true to his word every so often things happen that change the situation. But

I emailed Lionel several years in a row requesting they make a J3a Hudson with legacy.

They came through...sort of, with the ESE hudson. I was really hoping for the unstreamlined version they made back in 2001 in the 50th anniversary set.

I prefer the look of unstreamlined steamers. If Lionel ever offers the unstreamlined J3a I will most likely buy it and maybe sell my ESE version.

Yep, then some! I have ordered at least 1 of every sound car made to date...

Absolutely.  On the tinplate end I would like to see the Polar Express and a Strasburg set in O gauge.  

Marty, we have if they are cataloged and produced fairly accurately in a reasonable time frame. Not a stickler for the amount of louvers on a door, a 38" roof fan vs. a 36" etc. Now things like the Lionel BNSF (and even fictional Santa Fe) ES44AC's with the headlights in the wrong location are a no go along with color issues. Everyone can live with a shade off either way but huge errors like the lime green on the CN and Grand Trunk F's versus the correct color are wish list purchase stoppers. 

Naw..... they get canceled 

Only if they are affordable.

Sure do.  I wanted the GM Train of Tomorrow for a long time.  3rd Rail produced and I purchased.  When MTH offered more Ohio Central units(which I requested several times), I purchased.  3rd Rail is the only company to step up and offer the much requested ACE 3000.  I will purchase., but waiting to see roadnames artwork.

Good thread, Marty.

When/if Lionel ever offers a Legacy Commodore Vanderbilt, I'll purchase it as well.

Considering the typical cycle time from "when I ask" until "shipped for delivery", I can see a possibility of me having "headed in a different direction" and no longer being interested in the model as when I originally asked. The cycle time could get to a decade or so. 

Didn't ask for it, because I figured no one would ever make it, let alone in S Scale.  But someone did:

Rusty

I always order what I ask a manufacturer to produce. I always ask with a written request and sometimes they come through. I always wonder how many people on the forum actually buy what they say they will or if their just band wagon jumpers.

Dave Ripp. posted:

I always order what I ask a manufacturer to produce. I always ask with a written request and sometimes they come through. I always wonder how many people on the forum actually buy what they say they will or if their just band wagon jumpers.

Sort of why I asked.  There have been a few occasions where someone will ask for a particular item and the forum will light up with people saying they'd buy one or two.  The manufacturer makes it and the next thing you know they are being blown out or you see them sitting on the shelf for a few years.

I asked Scott Mann for the SD7s to be made in SP Tiger Stripes. He got enough orders besides my 2 so of course I ordered. I asked him for a Santa Fe Big Dome... 2 are now on pre-order. If I ask for it, I will definitely buy it.

I've been asking Scott for an FP45 in various Santa Fe paint schemes. No announcement yet, but I'm in for several IF he makes them.

Yes I buy what I have been asking for,waiting for the MTH 44 ton switcher and GGD Harriman cars that are coming at the end of the year.

Mikey

Lots of BIG TICKET items above.  My requests to 3rd Rail have yet to be made.  Not very optimistic about the chances, either.  Requests to Lionel/MTH?....waste of breath, IMHO.

But Dennis of Arttista came through for me on a special figure.  I had converted a derelict Lionel beacon tower into a forest fire lookout tower.  It begged a 'ranger' on the top deck looking through binoculars....something apparently not available anywhere at the time.  So I 'bugged' Dennis...politely...at several consecutive York meets.  And HE CAME THROUGH, finally (item #1583)!!!!! 

I could hardly contain myself when I spied the new figure at a subsequent York meet!  It was the first time I can truly say that a manufacturer responded to my request.  Kudos to Dennis!!!!

And, yet, lately I've missed seeing him at the last couple of York meets.  I know it's a costly ($$ + time) effort for a manufacturer to participate.  Seeing Arttista's new items was one of the highlights I looked forward to.

Miss ya, Dennis!

And, yes.....I surely did buy the binocular guy.....2 of them, in fact.  (Hey, he even makes a good peeping Tom in another vignette!)

KD

if I ask for something to be built, and it is, I will honor my request.

One issue I see for the companies is when someone declares, " I know everyone would buy xxxxxx item if you made it."

What we may think is a sure seller, may not be reality.     It's just another factor of what has led to BTO.

Hi There

I asked Mth here on OGR near Christmas 2013  to make a Christmas Diesel ! 

In 2014 They Made a Christmas es44ac !  It was Uncataloged !

I bought it !  Plus the next Christmas Engine & caboose !

I don't think I've ever asked for anything to be built, certainly not engines. The closest I have come, was the 53' well cars. When Atlas announced them, I ordered a half dozen sets, and followed that up with another four sets in the second run.

I just choose from what is in the catalog. I don't have a wish list. Most recently was the Lionel GN hustle muscle SD 45. I never asked for it, but ordered it when I saw it.

WRGMILW posted:

Hi There

I asked Mth here on OGR near Christmas 2013  to make a Christmas Diesel ! 

In 2014 They Made a Christmas es44ac !  It was Uncataloged !

I bought it !  Plus the next Christmas Engine & caboose !

That's a beauty! 

Definitely. When they got ready to pull 4014 out of Fairplex, I sent a nice E-mail to MTH regarding the "as restored" Big Boy 4014, suggesting a 2019 catalog release in Premier, Rail King, H.O. and S scales and joint marketing with Union Pacific through the UP website to get as much market penetration as possible. What I didn't expect was for it to show up in the 2015v1 Catalog, but I had to buy one. Opted for scale wheels even though I knew it would have issues with some uneven track on the club layout (as seen in the test run video). I suspect it may show up again when 4014's restoration nears completion. Of course, now I'm starting to think about a 3985 Challenger and an 844 Northern to go with it.

Wiow!  Some people actually get what they ask for!! (unheard of). I will again ask for a McKeen car, a small two truck Healer (2 different numbers), and the Little River 2-4-4-2. I'll gladly provide deposits.

MTH: I asked for the E44 flying brick, I have four. I asked for the 44 tonner, I have one on the way. I asked for the PFE reefers, I have 6. I have asked for a scale GG1(way back) got 5 asked for a box cab unmodified got 2

Sunset: I have asked for a scale RDC got 3, I have asked for a P7e B&O got one.  

I keep my word always. 

Yes, I always do purchase whatever I've requested or hoped for.  Not that I think the manufacturers made them because "I" asked for them, but when I have a request (and I have a fairly long list of future requests) and it's made I will always follow through.

Luckily my requests have been made at a slow enough pace to acquire them.  Always have to remember to be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!  It's the cataloged items that I didn't know I wanted that binds me up!  

Yes!  Years ago, I made a habit of regularly asking/suggesting to Mike Wolf that I would love to see an Aerotrain set.  MTH came thorough & I bought a set from the first batch offered, the PRR version.  Luckily, the Aerotrain ran under tests for 3 or 4 different road names.  MTH could produce them all.. and may not have gone for it had only the PRR version existed.

I asked MTH to make a safety purple bay window caboose and it has not been made yet! 

John Pignatelli JR. posted:

MTH: I asked for the E44 flying brick, I have four. I asked for the 44 tonner, I have one on the way. I asked for the PFE reefers, I have 6. I have asked for a scale GG1(way back) got 5 asked for a box cab unmodified got 2

Sunset: I have asked for a scale RDC got 3, I have asked for a P7e B&O got one.  

I keep my word always. 

 

 

I remember the E44's John. How you kept the wife from braining you with one escapes me. I ended up in the dog house over the Sunset/3rd Rail CNW H1 Northern and the MTH  Big Boy.

That said, I'm still hoping for a CF7. Santa Fe, LA Junction, and a couple of branch lines. Even saw a couple of them working the line next to the York Fairgrounds. I guess they'll make one right after I cut up a GP9 and fabricate a cab and hood.

 

Wiow!  Some people actually get what they ask for!! (unheard of).

Those who do quite well in this regard may dwell in the 'It's not what you know, but who you know!' category.......even in the world of toy trains. 

Perhaps? 

Or is it 'Squeaky wheel gets the grease!'?

I'm pretty certain I just got lucky this year, but approximately a year ago I mentioned in a post, as well as a wanted ad that I was looking for a two tone green 390E. There is one in the new catalog. I guarantee I'll order at least one, perhaps even two since it's one of my favorites!

While I realize alot of folks are looking for alot of different things, I would be willing to bet your wanted posts and wish list posts are always taken into account. I think we're all very fortunate MTH & Lionel are willing and able to offer what they do. My wish list is huge though so I have to watch what I ask for! Whats that old saying, be carefull what you wish for you might get it :-)

 

CNJ #1601 posted:

Interesting idea for a thread topic, Marty!  Sort of a "will you put your money where your mouth is?" question.  

I've really only asked for one item so far (a true scale-sized and highly-detailed ALCo RS3 with all the bells and whistles--i.e. sound, smoke, command control, etc.)...and absolutely "yes", I will buy if one of the manufacturers/importers ever figures out a way to get this done!

That's been my only other request .... a very nicely done, correct RS-3. I told Scott at 3rd Rail that I would buy two road names, if one is an "as delivered" CNJ. And, I would follow through.

I have not yet requested anything. However, if I did request something and someone was kind enough to make it for me, I would certainly purchase the item. I think that's just common courtesy.

I feel the same way about pre-orders. If you tell somebody you want something, you should pay for it when it arrives and not back out of the deal.